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A "multihybrid" is a cultivar obtained as a result of multiple
interbreedings, they shows features of natural species mixed and
can resembles many of the plants in which it was bred from.
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Some of the most intriguing
Astrophytums cultivars are the result of multi-hybrid programs and
possess unique and attractive characteristics.
Particularly the Astrophytum asterias “Superkabuto” has been extensively
hybridized in Japan and in other countries whit other species of the
genus. That is why hybrid seeds are easy to obtain as most of the
species are easy to cross, and their seeds have a high germination
capacity that lasts for 2 years. Many generations of hybrids were
created inside the “Superkabuto” form, features of natural species
mixed, and interesting hybrids and selective cultivars appeared
Multi hybrids generally display an exclusive combination of distinctive
traits derived from a line of complex breeding which incorporates many
different species and or hybrids. So rather than taking after one parent
or another, it can resembles many of the plants in which it was bred
from.
Seedlings of hybrid Astrophytum superkabuto show frequently non-typical
coloring and start getting red or yellow spots on the stem, or
developing crested, monstrous or other abnormal forms that yet have to
be named.
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We must however remember that all the Super Kabuto are the result of
cross-pollinating of the fist plant (That was a mutant of A. asterias
found in the wild) with other normal A. asterias and A.
capricorne (and possible other Astrophytum species too), it
can be concluded that all the SK actually available are the result of
intraspecific hybridization and SK contains not only A. asterias
genes but also a significant number of A. capricorne genes, and
maybe others. As a result spiny clones appear rather often and the name
Astrophytum asterias cv. Super Kabuto is not quite correct. |
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Photo of Astrophytum hybrids:
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Scientific name:
Astrophytum asterias
(Zucc.) Lem
cv. SUPER KABUTO Multi-hybrids with other Astrophytum species and
cultivars)
Origin:
Garden origin (Nursery
produced cultivar)
Conservation status: Listed in
CITES appendix 2.
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A Superkabuto multihybrid involving A. senilis
aureum, A. asterias nudum and A. myriostigma.
Seedlings of hybrid of Astrophytum superkabuto
show frequently non-typical coloring and start getting red or yellow
spots on the stem, or developing crested, monstrous or other abnormal
forms that yet have to be named. |
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Cultivation is not too difficult in a
greenhouse, although grows quite slowly. The plants need a
loose well-drained
mineral soil. They need a good amount of
light. Watering can be done weekly during
summertime, if the weather is sunny enough, with a little
fertilizer added. Kept this way, plants will show a
healthy, although slow
growth. They are
frost hardy to -4° (-10°) C
Be careful: The epidermis of Superkabuto is harder than in
the normal asterias and cracks easily if plants are overwatered.
Propagation: By
seeds, remembering that
seedlings dislike strong
light and
dry conditions and need to be
repotted frequently. Eventually, as they become mature, they attain
a maximum size of 8-10 cm (20) cm. However, old plants become
senile and have a tendency to succumb to
disease and a weak
root system. At this
stage, as is well known, they
die suddenly. So, after they reach 10 cm in diameter grow them
slowly, and adopt a new repotting period, using intervals of every 2 - 3
years. Additionally grow them under drier conditions or with stronger
sunlight. But plants are often
grafted to accelerate growth as they would generally take at least a
five years to reach
maturity on their own, but the grafted plants are typical rather
tall growing, compared with plants on their own roots that are usually
more flat to the
ground.
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Cultivation
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